Montclair: Police botter, Feb. 19, 2014

Arrest

Montague Place - On Monday, Feb. 10, at about 4:42 p.m., officers responded to a call about a dispute, police said.

Upon their arrival, the homeowner told officers that two tenants were giving her problems and both had outstanding warrants for their arrests, according to authorities.

The landlord was referred to Landlord/Tenant Court and both tenants were checked for warrants. Officers confirmed they were wanted, police said.

Richard Pierson, 57, of Montclair, had an outstanding warrant out of Clifton for $658, and Gwendolyn Walker of Montclair had an oustanding warrant for $183 out of Montclair and a warrant out of Orange for $500, police said. Both were taken into custody without incident, police said.

Thefts

Bloomfield Avenue - A black 16GB iPhone 5s worth $649 was stolen from a customer inside the store of the Exxon gas station on Bloomfield Avenue at about 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, police said.

The male victim told officers that when he entered the store, four males, about 17 to 19, entered behind him, according to authorities. One of the individuals bumped very hard into the victim on his left side, where his phone was stored in a pocket, police said.

The group of four males then asked the cashier how much a pair of gloves were and left without making a purchase, and when the victim left the store he realized his phone was missing, according to authorities.

Bloomfield Avenue - A purse was snatched from a woman in the front entrance of Lackawanna Plaza at about 4:45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, police said.

The woman was near the sliding doors facing Bloomfield Avenue when the suspect allegedly snatched it from her cart, police said.

The suspect is described as a young black male, medium build, about 5-feet-7, and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with white writing in the front, blue jeans and gray sneakers, according to authorities.

Possible scam

Gates Avenue - A resident reported on Saturday, Feb. 15, that an individual was going door to door saying that rates are rising and he could help keep energy costs down, police said.

When asked for identification the man could not provide any, according to authorities. Officers did not locate a suspect but the MPD remind residents to be alert and confirm any offers through PSE&G, police said.

- Diane Herbst

"Police news" is compiled by The Montclair Times from information provided by the Montclair Police Department. The information is released to the press at the discretion of the department and may not represent the total scope of police activity. All persons are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.